Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“You believed it, didn’t you? Who do you think provided us with this place?”

“Of course, I believe it, but… it’s too fast. According to the Marquis’s estimation…”

“Leeha, saying things like that, you really sound like the Marquis’s right-hand man. We’re just NPCs, do we have to act this way even in places where nobody sees us?”

Chiyoe lightly scratched Fowst’s insides.

“S-shut up! It’s just a habit, okay? It’s a habit!”

However, other than growling, Fowst had no way to stop her.

This safe spot was also provided by Chiyoe’s guild.

Ever since she allied with the followers of Blue Beard, Fowst and the group of Chimeras were able to move safely within Minis.

“I heard this information from an NPC I personally interacted with, so I’m sure about it. Tomorrow, the Minis’ delegation for the reinforced pact will depart for Phuviehl.”

There was no need for her to come all the way here.

If it was just the level of handling information like usual, she could have sent Sasuke or other messengers.

But for matters related to Blue Beard, she had no choice but to personally intervene.

“We need to stop that, Boss.”

“Exactly. The Marquis said… the first step is to delay the reinforced pact as much as possible. And even if the pact is signed, the second step is to stall as much time as we can…”

As Fowst sighed and spoke, Chiyoe’s eyes sparkled.

She had to personally come for this kind of thing, in order to catch these kinds of details.

The atmosphere and nuances that couldn’t be perceived when hearing indirectly. She was trying to extract information from Fowst by utilizing all her senses.

“Why is that? And why doesn’t that Marquis show himself?”

“That’s none of your concern, Chiyoe.”

“Ugh! For someone who’s holding hands, you both have too many secrets between each other…”

“We’re just holding hands; you’re not part of the Demon King’s army yet. Aren’t we giving each other what we want? Well… you should tell me things like how the Minis delegation will go, where and how they will depart and arrive… I won’t say anything unless you tell me.”

And Fowst was a ranker as well.

She could skillfully entice Chiyoe, taking a lot from her while not revealing top-tier information.

Executing this high-level ‘push and pull’ with Chiyoe was not an easy task.

“Kekhehe, what’s the worry? It’s just the Plains of Marching, right? That’s where you and that corpse-loving guy have already played enough.”

“Shut up and stay still, Crouli. Please. You’re also strictly part of the Demon King’s army, and even under my command.”

“That’s only because you met that Marquis quickly! Want to have a match? How about we compete? Who is superior? Let’s see who the better one is!”

Crouli pretended to take a vial out of his pocket and threw it playfully. The other players around were startled and stepped back, but Fowst remained seated quietly.

Though they had opposite personalities, Fowst and Crouli had trust in each other’s ‘line.’

If she had been a reckless person, Crouli wouldn’t have gained the reputation of an outsider.

“Tch, Crouli, you know that’s because of your meeting with that Marquis. Stop being childish. Now, how can we maximize our profit and gain the most from different places…”

Chiyoe bit her tongue in regret.

However, it was just a momentary slip, and Chiyoe’s mind was already calculating.

Whom to give what information to and to what extent?

What kind of situation to create to get the most advantage?

“The route is right, as Crouli said, the Plains of Marching. Departure from the capital is at 11 a.m. We need to finish everything within the three hours it takes to cross the Plains of Marching.”

“What about the direction? And the number of people?”

“Well, I don’t have any information on that… but I assume it will be somewhere in the central region? Or they might disperse their forces.”

Chiyoe shrugged her shoulders.

Fowst squinted her eyes and stared at her with suspicion.

‘Damn girl, she’s being difficult even though she knows. Did she mention the central region as a real or fake clue… I can’t tell if it’s genuine or not…’

Did she twist her thoughts and then say it, or did she say it twice?

As someone who knew Chiyoe wasn’t an ordinary person, Fowst, who was known as the 8th ranker, couldn’t easily decide.

“Alright. You can let Fowst know the number of escorts before the increase. You should know where they will pass.”

“It’s hard to say. Just about 20 people, I guess? But I’ll try to find out more and let you know.”

“…Please.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re helping each other, right? Well… I’ll blow up a city you want after we’re done with this delegation for Fowst.”

“Really? Hmm, well, I’m not sure about the route yet. I’ll try to find out about the number of people.”

“…Understood, Okasama.”

Sasuke repeated her instructions once more. Among the two people who had been walking silently, it was Chiyoe who spoke again.

“Ah, by any chance, is there any information on Leeha?”

“We haven’t been able to find his location lately… but there was a sighting of him in the capital a few days ago.”

“Capital…? Why?”

“That’s… There was no specific information transmitted from the palace.”

“Hmph, these damn NPCs eat a lot but have nothing useful to say. Keep digging and let me know if you find anything. It seems like Blue Beard doesn’t usually accompany Fowst. Maybe we’ll get some leads if we follow Leeha.”

“Understood.”

“Well then, have a good day. As expected, Sasuke is the only one we can trust.”

Chiyoe lightly patted him.

Even though he was wearing a black mask, it seemed like Sasuke’s face was blushing slightly.

She knew very well how to handle her subordinates.

* * *

“Then, I’ll leave it to you, Count Abandonay.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. With the unyielding spirit that will never be defeated by those vile Phuviehl people… I will deliver Your Majesty’s will.”

The King of Minis nodded.

The representative of the delegation for the reinforced pact, Count Abandonay, who would stand before the king, had NPC officials and players responsible for the practical matters and protection lined up behind him.

However, there could be no public grand event.

They once had some arrogance in Minis when the reinforced pact was initiated as equals, but now they had to humble themselves and enter.

For Minis, it was a disgraceful matter, but it also meant that the Chimeras had caused significant damage by wandering around.

“Garde Jazak, are you ready?”

Count Abandonay checked the security situation around the palace with a fearsome look.

Although he was the representative of the delegation for the reinforced pact and the proxy of the King of Minis, ensuring Count Garde Jazak’s safety to take him safely to Phuviehl was Garde’s responsibility.

“We have obtained various intelligence and strengthened the defense accordingly. Do not worry, Count.”

“Good. Go.”

He was an NPC who had obtained information from Chiyoe.

As soon as Garde Jazak exited the castle, NPC and player knights who had received quests that morning followed him nervously. They didn’t say much but followed him without much enthusiasm.

“But what’s going on? Suddenly, a bodyguard quest?”

“I don’t know. It’s my first time receiving a bodyguard quest, especially one with an unknown difficulty.”

“That’s right, and the rewards are…?”

“I don’t know. Garde never gave us anything before. The quest rating was ??, so I had high expectations, but the difficulty was crap, and the contribution reward was only 50.”

“That’s right. I guess we’ll have to see how it turns out based on the difficulty.”

The knight players of Minis chatted quietly, keeping their distance from the rear of the bodyguard unit.

There were approximately 20 NPC knights and 20 player knights in the formation, considering that they could warp to any place except for when they crossed the Plains of Marching.

“All units, warp to Castle Bancaul!”

Sir, Yes Sir!

As soon as the delegation for the reinforced pact left the capital of Minis, they immediately executed a warp.

Their destination was Castle Bancaul, one of the closest locations to the Plains of Marching.

“Be on high alert! There is intelligence that suggests that there are forces trying to harm the delegation of our country! Everyone, maintain your vigilance as instructed! Arrange yourselves as previously ordered and spread out, keeping a distance!”

As Garde Jazak exited Castle Bancaul, he immediately gave orders to the NPC and player knights. They all followed the orders without any objection, but they lacked enthusiasm.

“That Garde guy is too scared.”

“Leave it. It’s a quest after all.”

“Let’s finish it quickly and go hunting.”

The knight players of Minis received a simple quest.

Pass through here, cross the Plains of Marching, and proceed to Nitei, Phuviehl. Once they reach there, they can use the warp gate to the capital of Phuviehl.

“So, we only need to be here for a short time, just three hours… Can anything really happen in such a short time…? It’s not even a war.”

Although the matter was grave, it was still a delegation for the reinforced pact, part of the larger flow in Mid Earth. Who could possibly interfere with them?

Moreover, a significant portion of the Plains of Marching was flat terrain.

It wasn’t suitable for ambushing from hiding. If they spread out enough, Garde believed they could easily detect and repel any ‘forces’ that he was concerned about.

“High-alert formation completed.”

“Good. I leave it to you, Garde.”

“Fear not, I will protect you with my life, Count.”

With the vanguard and rearguard maintaining sufficient distance, the delegation for the reinforced pact began to cross the central part of the Plains of Marching.